Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALINYFA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALINYFA’, particularly characterized by light yellow-green and flecked flowers with red-purple, dotted lips, a convex flower shape in lateral view, dotted apical lobes of the lip, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALINYFA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALINYFA’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with numerous attractive light yellow-green, flecked flowers with red-purple, dotted lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALINYFA’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in June 2012 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘40949-011’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘6240-02’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in May 2015. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Sep. 19, 2019 (Application no. 2019/2293), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALINYFA’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALINYFA’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALINYFA’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Light yellow-green and flecked flowers with red-purple,         dotted lips;     -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is convex; and     -   3) Apical lobe of the lip is dotted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in December 2020. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALINYFA’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALINYFA’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALINYFA’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALINYFA’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in December 2020 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALINYFA’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘40949-011’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘6240-02’ (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (something in between RHS             190B and 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots             having yellow-green (RHS 144C) colored root tips with a             touch of purplish-red (RHS N77B). -   Plant:     -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in             vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After             transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished             after 48 to 50 weeks.         -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent             with panicle inflorescence.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 44.0 cm to 49.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 28.0 cm to 31.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Moderate. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 6 to 8 leaves are             produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 15.0 cm             to 18.0 cm. Width: 6.0 cm to 7.0 cm. Shape: Oblong. Base             shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse slightly unequal.             Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the             horizontal position): Between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.             Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A and             diluting reddish-brown margin (RHS 200B) toward the tip.             Lower surface: RHS 146B and diluting dark red-brown region             and margin (something in between RHS 187A and 200B) toward             the tip. Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth.             Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation:             Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS             146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B with a touch of diluting dark             red (RHS 187A) toward the tip. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—8 to 15.         -   Length.—44.0 cm to 49.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Reddish-brown (RHS 200B) with a touch of yellow-green             (RHS 146C).         -   Internode length.—4.0 cm to 5.0 cm. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 170.0 mm to             270.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11             months after planting in a 12-cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 70.0 mm to 75.0 mm. Diameter: 80.0 mm to             85.0 mm. Depth of lip: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm. Flower shape:             Convex.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 17 to 20 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 21.0 mm             to 23.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.             Color: Yellow-green (something in between RHS N144A and             144C) with a touch of dark red (something in between RHS             187B and 187C).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Moderately undulated. Length             (from base to tip): 38.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Width: 36.0 mm to             38.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: At the             base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:             Light yellow-green (RHS 2C). Over color: Dark purplish-red             flecks (RHS N79C). Lower surface: Basic color:             Greenish-yellow (RHS 2D). Over color: White (RHS NN155C) at             the base; diluting purplish-red flecks (something in between             RHS N77B and N79B). Number of spots, flecks, and stripes on             the petals (upper surface): Many flecks. Color of spots,             flecks, and stripes on the petals (upper surface): RHS N79C.             Density of netting of the petals (upper surface): None.             Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to             42.0 mm. Width: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light yellow-green (RHS             2C). Over color: Dark purplish-red flecks (RHS N79C). Lower             surface: Basic color: Light yellow-green (RHS 2C). Over             color: Diluting purplish-red flecks (something in between             RHS N77B and N79B). Number of spots, flecks, and stripes on             the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Many flecks. Color of             spots, flecks, and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper             surface): RHS N79C. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals             (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface):             Not applicable.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.             Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 39.0 mm to             41.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color (when fully             opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Light yellow-green (RHS             2C). Over color: Dark purplish-red flecks on one side (RHS             N79C) and other side (something in between RHS 187C and             187D). Lower surface: Basic color: Light yellow-green             (something in between RHS 145C and 2C). Over color: Diluting             purplish-red flecks (something in between RHS N77B and N79B)             with a reddish-purple midvein (RHS N78A) toward the tip.             Number of spots, flecks, and stripes on the lateral sepals             (upper surface): Many flecks. Color of spots, flecks, and             stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): RHS N79C and             something in between RHS 187C and 187D. Density of netting             of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): Not applicable.         -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0             mm to 8.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark purplish-red (RHS             N79C). Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the             International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of             Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly             spatulate. Margin: Undulated (widely wavy). Length: 18.0 mm             to 20.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Slightly light greenish-yellow (RHS 6B) with dark red fleck             (something in between RHS 187A and 187B) at the base; white             (RHS NN155A); dark red (something in between RHS 187A and             187B) on one side and dark purplish-red (RHS N79C) toward             tip. Lower surface: Greenish-white (RHS 155C) at the base;             hint of light yellow (RHS 6B) and dark red (something             between RHS 187A and 187B) toward margin on one side and             reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward the tip. Number of spots,             flecks, and stripes on the lateral lobe (upper surface):             Fleck. Color of spots, flecks, and stripes on the lateral             lobe (upper surface): Something in between RHS 187A and             187B. Density of netting of the lateral lobe (upper             surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not             applicable.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Rhombic. Margin: Entire. Length: 21.0 mm             to 23.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Touch of greenish-yellow (RHS 6B) at the base; red (RHS             59A); dotted (something in between RHS 187A and 187B); dark             red midvein (RHS 187A) and dark purplish-red (RHS N79C)             toward whiskers. Lower surface: White (RHS 155C) at the             middle from base toward whiskers; touch of light yellow (RHS             6B) toward wings; dark red margin at wings (RHS 187B) and             reddish-purple (something in between RHS N79C and N78A) on             sides toward whiskers. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on             the apical lobe (upper surface): Many dots. Color of spots,             dots, and stripes on the apical lobe (upper surface):             Something in between RHS 187A and 187B. Density of netting             of the apical lobe (upper surface): None. Color of the             netting (upper surface): Not applicable. Bump and ridge:             Present.         -   Callus.—Average size: Small to medium. Height: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Length: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.             Color: Dark red (something in between RHS 187A and 187B)             with few light yellow-green flecks (RHS 2C) at the tip. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length: 9.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 5.0 mm to             6.0 mm. Color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C) with few stripes             (RHS N78A) at the base.         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:             Orange-yellow (RHS 21A).         -   Ovary.—Length: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm to 2.6             mm.         -   Pedicel.—Length: 39.0 mm to 41.0 mm. Diameter: 2.7 mm to             3.1 mm. Color: Green (RHS 146A) at the base; yellow-green             (RHS 145C) and light purple (RHS 76A) toward the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis to date. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALINYFA’ differs from the female parent plant ‘40949-011’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALINYFA’ has flowers with a flecked pattern and purplish-pink columns with few reddish-purple stripes at the base, whereas ‘40949-011’ has flowers with an edged pattern and columns with a touch of reddish-purple at the base and light purple tips.

‘PHALINYFA’ differs from the male parent plant ‘6240-02’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALINYFA’ has rhombic apical lobes and weakly spatulate lateral lobes, whereas ‘6240-02’ has triangular apical lobes and spatulate lateral lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALINYFA’ has smaller flowers than ‘6240-02’.

‘PHALINYFA’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALCHORBE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 17/016,639) and ‘PHALGOPXO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,285). ‘PHALINYFA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALCHORBE’ in that ‘PHALINYFA’ has rhombic apical lobes and dark purplish-red whiskers, whereas ‘PHALCHORBE’ has triangular apical lobes and white whiskers with light yellow tips. Additionally, ‘PHALINYFA’ has shorter whiskers than ‘PHALCHORBE’.

‘PHALINYFA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALGOPXO’ in that ‘PHALINYFA’ has purplish-pink columns with few reddish-purple stripes at the base and dark purplish-red whiskers, whereas ‘PHALGOPXO’ has white columns and very light purple whiskers with yellow tips. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALINYFA’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 